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Rachel Alexandra Could Run in Preakness Stakes - 05-08-09
May 8 - Many racehorse trainers across the United States must have been unsettled this week to hear that news that the new trainer of Rachel Alexandra, Steve Asmussen, is considering entering the top-rated filly in next Saturday's $1 million Preakness Stakes (Gr 1) at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore.
One such trainer is New Mexico-based trainer Bennie Woolley Jr, who was thrust into the spotlight last weekend when his 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird caused a major upset in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, when he cruised home to a stunning 6 3/4 length victory over many of America's finest three-year-olds.
Said Woolley Jr, 'Any trainer would be a fool to welcome that filly because she's tough. As much as I don't want her to go, she'd be taking my rider.' The trainer was referring to Calvin Borel, who not only rode Mine That Bird to victory in the Derby, but also won the Kentucky Oaks aboard Rachel Alexandra.
However, as yet nothing has been confirmed. If Asmussen, as well as her new owner Jesse Jackson, decide to enter Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes, it will be her first race against males. With speculation rife, Asmussen played his cards close to his chest when asked when next he would run the filly.
All he said was 'all options are open'. The fact that Rachel Alexandra received a higher Beyer Speed Figure of 108 over Mine That Bird's 105 has not been lost on horseracing fans. In fact, this is the first time that the winner of the Kentucky Oaks has been given a higher figure than a Kentucky Derby winner.
It would certainly come as a blow for Woolley Jr if Borel took the unprecedented step of foregoing a ride on a Kentucky Derby winner for another horse, no matter how good the other horse is supposed to be. And Asmussen would be crazy not to hire Borel, as he has already won on Rachel Alexandra five times.
In the history of the U.S. Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes), no jockey has ever refused a ride on Derby winner for another horse in the Preakness. To complicate matters further, Borel has openly stated that Rachel Alexandra is the best horse he has ever ridden.
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